Heart Rate Monitors - what works well/what doesn't?

[epstns]

I've been using electronic heart rate monitors for probably 10 years or more. I'm now 3 1/2 years out from AVR/bypass/pacemaker implant. I use a Polar F1 monitor, with the chest strap. It is usually quite good, but sometimes it just "wigs out" and gives erratic high or low readings, or none at all. When I have my pacemaker interrogated, it shows no irregularities in history, so we believe that the rate anomalies shown may be due to the chest strap losing its "connectivity" with the electronic signals from my heart - possibly due to being too wet or too dry as I work out in the fitness center.

When I'm still chugging along on my Airdyne bike but the monitor drops to zero, somehow I don't believe it. . .

 

[SumoRunner]

I never had Afib. I have a problem with caffeine and other stimulants. It's almost like an allergy which gives me premature contractions. If I could only stay completely away from coffee, tea, etc. they would be rare, but alas, I love the stuff. I was told as far back as 1980 not to worry about it much, just decaffeinate. I'm still trying.

 

[clay_from_nj]

I'm just a minimalist. Like pellicle, I use a simple monitor that doesn't connect to anything except its own watch device. My unit is an old Polar F1. I chose it because it was the one that seemed to work best with my pacemaker.

I could never use one.
1) chest too hairy to make a good contact
2) pulse too irregular at times.
But then, I was running for decades before HRMs were invented and I just know what feels right.

I'm a minimalist like SumoRunner, but for different reasons.
1) Really didn't exercise before AVR and never considered HRM.
2) With beta blocker and ACE inhibitor, my doctors told me to just "listen to my body". It works really well for me.

 

[Paleowoman]

On starting cardiac rehab the cardiac specialist nurse got me to buy a Polar FT1. I didn't really have any choice and I find it absolutley fine. The chest strap transmits to the thing on my wrist and seems very sensitive to changes in HR. I think it can do some fancy things, but I've not looked into them, I just use it to monitor my heart rate when exercising. When I compare it to a HR monitor on an exercise bike I have I can see that the Polar is much better, it never loses the signal and is more sensitive. I don't have AFIB so can't comment on that aspect.

 

[doberman]

I have a polar FT1 was not expensive and does the basic job of monitoring your hear rate. Easy to use.

 

[triff]

Thanks SumoRunner and AZ Don, doesn't sound like consumer heart rate monitors would be suitable for what I'm after, looks like I'd be after something between a HRM a Holter monitor which might not even exist (I didn't actually know the official name until just now as my hospital refers to them as a "24h tape"), if it was worth getting something like that my cardiologist would have already done something, I've had one on twice in the two years since they let me out and there was nothing abnormal.

 

[camgough]

I use a Polar FT80 and really like it. Has settings for weight training or running. I also have the footpod accessory that measures distance run. It's not too bulky and works with my pacemaker as well!